Synchronization in networks of identical linear systems

The paper investigates the synchronization of a network of identical linear state-space models under a possibly time-varying and directed interconnection structure. The main result is the construction of a dynamic output feedback coupling that achieves synchronization if the decoupled systems have no exponentially unstable mode and if the communication graph is uniformly connected. The result can be interpreted as a generalization of classical consensus algorithms. Stronger conditions are shown to be sufficient - but to some extent, also necessary - to ensure synchronization with the diffusive static output coupling often considered in the literature. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.